Santa Fe to Durango - which way?

[danes-on-tour]

Shortly we will find ourselves in Santa Fe, NM and next stop after this will be Durango, CO.

Looking at the map and the GPS the route should be to head north via Highway 84. However, this route does not look very straight at all on the map, and it also looks like mountain driving?


Would we be better off first going a bit south/west to Bernalillo, and then take Highway 550? It looks a lot more straight although longer (about 30 miles) than the other route.


Thanks

[kellylipp]

There is some mountain driving in both routes though I think less via 550. I've driven both. The 550 route gives you the option of seeing Chaco Canyon. If you are going to Durango and Mesa Verde NP Chaco is a great warm up. That said, the last time we were at Chaco it was along dirt road out there. Depends on what you are pulling/driving.

Kelly

[RustyJC]

550 is an excellent road all the way to north of Bloomfield, NM. No hard climbs, no hairpin curves, mostly 4-lane, usually very little traffic, etc.

Rusty

[danes-on-tour]

for your advice.

I think we will take the 550 and an extra 30 miles.

[Stumblefoot]

Kelly and Rusty are spot on with their recommendations.

Even though US Hwy 550 is 30 miles longer, you'll find it actually takes nearly the same time as US Hwy 84 and US Hwy 160.

Enjoy your ride!

[swampdog2]

I have been both ways many times. like them both , but I sure do like Pagosa Springs, so pretty ! so I tend to go 84 most of the time

[danes-on-tour]

A couple of days ago we made our trip and we did take the 550. Excellent road all the way to the CO border. From here OK road to Durango. No very step hills although we made use of the exhaust brake a couple of times. It was a very pretty journey all the way.

Having made this trip we will have "the courage" to take the 84 route next time, and after having spoken to so many people, we will probably make a stop at Pagosa Springs as it comes strongly recommended.

On another note:
The drive from Durango to Silverton is a "must do". Especially now when spring colours are showing. The views are just fantastic.

[Stumblefoot]

Originally Posted by The Danes Are Coming

On another note:
The drive from Durango to Silverton is a "must do". Especially now when spring colours are showing. The views are just fantastic.

Glad you had a good drive! And, that little drive from Durango to Silverton is indeed nice. Next time, you'll have to drive the Million Dollar Highway from Silverton to Ouray. Spectacular scenery, great hot springs, and Ouray is a cool little town.

By the way... are you sure you saw spring colours?

Just teasing!

[danes-on-tour]

Originally Posted by Stumblefoot

By the way... are you sure you saw spring colours?

Just teasing!

I am past 50 so I am allowed a little misprint every now and again

The autumn are also pretty